I love the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. It is the perfect time to reflect on the year that is leaving you and make plans and dream of new dreams for the coming year and beyond.
This past year was filled with highs and lows, challenges and dreams come true. I left my full-time job last November and started my freelance business, my non-compete contract expired and I started my licensing business!!! I spent three months getting treated with IV antibiotics for my 12 year battle with Lyme disease, I'm still not sure if it worked and it was by far one of the hardest things I have ever done.
Since then, I have been trying to get my life back in order and it has been challenging but, it has also been filled with so many amazing things as far as my career is concerned! I have great news to share with you about licensing my art. I have to wait until I have the details all worked out. I am also talking with some licensing agents about representing me and my brand. After a decade of wishing, I finally made the leap and will be showing my work at Surtex this year. I still can't believe I am finally doing it! Oh gosh, what else?
I sent this package with my pattern design off to my top pick in the quilting fabric industry.
The creative director called me last week with some amazing news!!!! I will share all of the details with you as soon as I have a signed contract.
I am absolutely amazed over this last year. There has been so much to be grateful for, even the challenges because of the lessons and insights I have gained from them. So grateful!
I live a very simple life. I am married with two dogs, no kids because of my health challenges. We live in a little house in the country, not too far away from the city. I have amazing friends and family that I love so much. I honestly, never dreamed that amazing things like fabric deals, my own dinnerware collection and getting my art out to the world could ever happen to me. This past year as opened my eyes to the reality that great things can happen, I am worthy! Which leads me to this coming year.
This next year is going to be about nurturing my spirit and my physical body. I need to release the feelings of being less than and embrace who I am and love myself more. This may sound very self-serving but, it is a necessary step on the road of recovery. There are so many people out there that don't value themselves, that don't believe they can make a difference. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all believed in our divinity? I am always telling other people how amazing and powerful they are, if only I could believe that for myself. Well, I am starting to see it, I am starting to feel it.
It is my dream for this coming year to be fully present with myself. To nurture and heal my wounded soul and to practice self-love in all it's forms. In doing so, I will open up the world of possibility in my own life and be able to share those lessons with others through encouragment, nurturing and inspiration. Small sweet steps to healing and helping others to heal as well. That sounds like a pretty good goal to me.
I would also like to thank all of my friends out there in the art/design/blogging world. It is through your belief in yourselves, your inspiring art and thoughtful words that have inspired me to keep pushing myself. I don't know where I would be without your beautiful lights shining and illuminating the path before me. Thanks, dear friends.
Happy New Year!
You are a very talented artist and have had an incredible year. It is exciting to think what 2012 will bring for all. Happy New Year to you and excited to hear your news!
Posted by: Holly | 12/29/2011 at 01:16 PM
This was beautifully said. I am married with 3 children but I feel I've met my kindred spirit when I read your blog. What you say is what I feel. Thank you and good luck with all of your endeavors!
Posted by: jennifer c | 12/29/2011 at 01:23 PM
Blogging is such an amazing thing, isn't it? That we feel so comfortable expressing our deepest vulnerabilities. It is because of friends like you that I feel safe sharing a part of me. Thanks!
Posted by: Stephanie Ryan | 12/29/2011 at 01:30 PM
Your career is taking flight. Who knows where a fully-healed soul will take you? Self-serving? Not at all. As Eckhart Tolle said, "You are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. That is how important you are!"
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Posted by: Rachel | 12/29/2011 at 07:14 PM
Dearest Stephanie. I just want you to know that I enjoy reading your blog and am cheering for you (from afar) every step of the way. I look forward to reading about your exciting new adventures in the art-licensing world. Your journey is an inspiration for me personally. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Lila Cheekytree | 12/30/2011 at 12:26 PM
Thank you all for taking the time to comment and say such nice things. You fill my heart and encourage me to keep going!!!!! Happy New Year to you all!!!!
Big Hugs!
Posted by: Stephanie | 12/31/2011 at 01:06 AM
SO proud of you SIs! I wish you a Happy New Year and a Healthy one too! You are so amazing!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Lancello | 01/05/2012 at 09:20 AM
Aww,thanks sis!
Posted by: Stephanie Ryan | 01/05/2012 at 05:00 PM
You’ve been nominated for the Versatile Blogger award on my blog, http://cheekytree.wordpress.com/ because your work is inspiring and your blog is great. The details are here: http://wp.me/p1IIa3-8T
Posted by: Lila Cheekytree | 01/12/2012 at 07:13 PM
Lila!!!! That is so cool! Thank you so much!
Posted by: Stephanie Ryan | 01/12/2012 at 09:22 PM